Packing ring



G. F. MOORS PACKING RING Filed July l, 192] 2 Sheets-Sheet l G. F. Moons PACKING RING No, g5, 1924.

a'sheeas-sneez 2 Filed July l, 1921 Patented ov. 25, 1924i..

GERGE F. lO'ORS, OF 'WEBSTER GROVES,

ENGINE COMPANY, Gli" ST. LOUIS, MISSOURL A CGEPR-.TIN 0F DELAWARE.

MISSOUR, ASSEEGNB. EIO T-IE RECIP-RGTO PACKING;- RING.

Application led July l,

f1 of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Packing Rings, of which the following is a full, clear, and eXact description, reference being had to the accompanyitI ino` drawines forming a art ofy this invent) C 7 b 4.' 1. tion.

rlhis invention relates to improvements in iaclnn rines ada ated for use 1n rotar en- 1 b b l 3 gines of the type shown in l atent No.

l5 l,22?,l73, granted May 22, 1917, although it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to such use. The main object is to produce a simple and effective packing ring.

'lil A. further object is to produce a packing ring having its elements so combined with each other that the fluid pressure tending to escape across one side of the ring is approximately balanced by fluid pressure at the other side of the ring. Another object is to produce an effective means for sealing a balanced ring of this kind, so as to prevent ealrage of the fluid pressure whereby the ring is balanced.

Another object is to provide a sectional packing ring including an endless ring member and a resilient sealing ring member cooperating therewith to prevent escape of fluid from a pressure chamber.

si. further object is to produce a sectional packing ring having aplurality of ring members including -a resilient ring member in the form of an annular wedge exposed to the fluid pressure in such a. manner that the fluid pressure on the wedge tends to seat the ring members. i

More specifically stated, an object is to produce a packing ring adaptedto form a most eiiective seal between the side of a .5 piston and a fiat side face of a cylinder. A

packing ring of this kind must be subjected to lateral pressure to engage it with its seats, and this involves problems not found in the designing of simple expanding rings for the pistons of ordinary reciprocating engines. 'the specific structure l have shown includes an endless ring mounted in the piston of a rotary engine and frictionally engaging a flat inner face of the cylinder. Obviously, it is an advantage to use a 4ring of this kind 1921. serial no. 481,768.

having' no separated ends. A resilient ring engages the endless ring tof force the latter onto the fiat face of the cylinder', and this sealing ring is in the form of a wedge subjected to the iluid pressure in such a manner that the pressure tends to force both rings onto their seats.

W ith the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention comprises the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown the preferred einbodiment of the invention. However, it is to be understood that the invention comprehends changes, variations and modifications which within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

Fig. l is a vertical section, partly in elevation, s iowiug certain parts of a rotary engine provided with a packing ring embodying the features of this invention.

Fig. ll is a` vertical section of the engine shown in F ig. l. Y

F ig. lll is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a portion of a fiat cylinder wall, with a packing ring interposed between the piston and cylinder.

F ig. lV is a detail view of the endless packing ring member.

F ig. V is a detail view showing the springs whereby the endless ring member is forced toward the flat face of the cylinder.

Fig. Vl is a detail view of the double packing ring member which cooperates with the endless ring member.

Fig. VH is a detail view of the retaining ring whereby the sectional packing ring is retained in the piston.r

F ig. VIH is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the piston showing the ports through which fluid under pressure maybe admitted to the groove in which the packing ring is mounted and also showing the valve elements adapted to close said ports.

To illustrate the invention, I have shown a rotary engine comprising a. pressure chamber A having a circular inner face l and dat side faces 2. VThis cylinder is provided with an inlet passageway 3 and a discharge passageway Ll. l do not deem it necessary to show the valves for contro-lling the admissionV and discharge of fluid, for such valves are old, and a suitable valve l UU llL)

device is shown in Patent No. 1,227 ,17 3. Furthermore, if the engine is reversible, the passageway 4 may be considered as the inlet and the passageway 3 as the discharge passageway.

An eccentric 5 isliXed to a rotary shaft 6 mounted in the side walls of the cylinder, and this eccentric is surrounded by a piston in the form of a ring P having a tubular eX- tension'7 adapted to receive a: pivot pin 8. An abutmenthead 9 engages the periphery of tubular extension 7 10 designates screws extending from the abutment head 9 and passing through slots in the tubular eX- tension 7, said screws being screwed into the pivot 8, so as to secure the abutment head to the piston P. The abutment head 9 and theY ends of tubular extension 7 engage the flat side walls 2 so as to prevent the free escape offluid from the inlet port 3 to the discharge port 4.*"This abutment head 9 is also provided with an arcuate face 11 engaging a correspondingly formed: face to prevent leakage of fluid over the top of the piston. An arm 12 extending from the abutment head 9 is mounted on a pivot pin 13 which permits oscillation of the abutment head.

Fluid'under pressure is admitted through the inlet port Sso as to impart rotary motion yto the shaft 6 and eccentric 5 on which the piston P is mounted.

Each flat side face of the annular piston l isrprovided Vwith anv annular groove 14 adapted to receive a packing ring embody ing'the features of thisI invention. Each of the sectional packing rings herein shown comprises an endless packing ring member B mounted in an annular grove 14 and eX- Vtending therefrom to contact with an inner face 2 fof thecylinder. Small leaf springs 16'Y are secured tor a ring 17, said springs being located in the annular groove14'and engaged with the inner side face of the ring member B so as to force the outer side face ofk said ring member into engagement with the flat faceV 2 of the cylinder. The inner wall'of groove 14 is provided with an an- VVnularV recess in which the spring-holding .ring 17 is removably mounted.

The sectional packing ring also includes a double sealing ring comprising inner and outer ring members 18 and 19 located in the annular grove 14 and interposed between and engaged with the packing ring member B and a wall ofthe groove 14. Both of the ring members 18 and 19 are resilient, and the ring'member 18 is surrounded by the lring member '19. These resilient ring members are provided with separated ends, asfslioi'vn in Fig. VI. The double sealing produced by the ring members 18 and 19"is, wedge1shaped in cross-section, as shown by'`li`ig."IH,' said "double ring having side faces 'which converge from its wide outer circumferential face to its narrow inner` cir cumferential face. As shown by Fig. III, the endless ring member B is provided with an inclined face engaging the corresponding inclines on the double ring 18-19. rlhis double ring tends to contract when the device is in service, thereby serving as a wedge whereby the endless ring l is forced onto the flat face 2, while the converging side faces of the double ring are forced onto their seats. Lateral pressure is thus transmitted through all of the ring members so as to force them onto their seats.

The endless ring B is approximately equal in width to the annular groove 14 in which it is mounted, but in actual practice there will ordinarily be a slight space between the periphery of this endless ring and the adjacent wall of the groove 14. However, Huid entering this groove will act upon the wide circumferential face of the double sealing ring 18-19, and this fluid pressure tending to contract the resilient wedge will cause the several ring members to more firmly engage their seats. i t will be observed that the resilient double ring 18-19 is assembled under tension which tends to contract the resilient. wedge, and that fluid pressure ou the wide circumferential face of this wedge like-wise tends to contract the same, so the service conditions will tend to tighten the wedge. instead of loosening the same.

Furthe nore, the fluid pressure in the annular groove 14 III) tends to force the endless ring member B into engagement with its seat on the liat face 2, so the pressure of any fluid tending to escape between the flat face 2 and the endless ring member is approximately balanced by the lluid pressure in the annular groove 1,4. Although the liuid pressure on opposite sides of the ring B may be at times approximately bal anced, it will be observed that the springs 16 and the contractile ring 18-19 tend to retain the endless ring- B in engagement with the flat face 2. Y

The resilient rings 18-19 are provided with separated ends, as shown in Fig. Vl, but the ends of one ring are preferably diametrically opposite to the ends of the other ring, so as to prevent the escape of liuid through this double ring.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the endless ring B is subjected to fluid. pressure tending to force it onto the fiat wall 27 and that the wedge-like sealing ring 18-19 provides a very effective seal between the endless ring B and the wall of the groove. Any flnid under pressuretending to escape between the endless ring B and the flat face 2 is opposed by the liuid pressure in the annular groove' 14, as well" as by the pressure of springs 16 and resilient ring members 18419,: the ilattcr being `wedged ontotheir seats by the iuid pressure.

loo

To provide for the free admission of fluid pressure into the annular groove 11i, the periphery of the piston P may be drilled to provide inlet ports 20 at opposite sides of the extension 7 on the piston, as shown by Figs. I and III. When the passageway 3 (Fig. I) is utilized as an inlet port, the fluid ,pressure will enter the inlet ports 20 at the left side of the tubular extension, and when the passageway 4 is used as the inlet passageway, the liuid under pressure will enter the inlet ports 20 at the right side of tubular extension 7. Since the fiuid should not be permitted to freely escape from the annular groove 14, the ports 20 may be provided with cheek valves in the form of leaf springs 2l (Fig. I] III), which permit the fluid to enter the ports 2O at either side of the extension .7, and which prevent the escape offluid through the ports 20.

The outer face of the endless ring B is provided with an Vannular groove and transverse ports 23 leading from said groove to the inner face of said ring, so iiuid under pressure entering the annular groove v22 will be permitted to pass into the annular groove la unless the pressure in said groove is equal to or greater than the fiuid tending to flow through the ports 23. i

Y he endless ring B is also provided with an annular groove 2e adapted to receive liquid which will aid in forming ra seal between the friction face of ring B and the flat face 2. If the ring is applied to a steam engine, the groove 24: will become filled with water formed by condensation of the steam.`

25 designates a resilient retaining ring t Figs. III and VII) whereby outward movement of the sectional packing ring is limited, so as to confine the packing ring in the piston when the latter is outside of the cylinder. rihis retaining ring 25 is resilient and it is removably mounted in an annular recess formed in the inner circular wall of the groove lli, as shown by Fig. III. In applying the ring to the pist-on, said ring is expanded and forced into the groove 14, whereupon it contracts into the annular recess in which it is normally seated as shown by Fig. III.

I claim Vl. A packing ring comprising an endless ring member having a friction face 0n one 4of its sides, and yielding means associated with said endless ring member to engage said friction face with its seat, said yielding means including a resilient packing' ring member whereby lateral pressure is imparted. to said endless ring member.

2. A packing ring comprising an endless ring member having' a friction face on one of its sides, and yielding means associated with said endless ring member to engage said frictionA face with its seat, said yielding means including a resilient packing ring ring member, and said resilient packing ring member having converging side faces to provide a circular resilient wedge whereby lateral pressure is transmitted through both of said ring members.

A packing ring comprising an endless ring member having a friction face on one of its sides, and yielding means associated with said endless ring member to engage said friction face with its seat, said yielding means including a pair of resilient packendless ring member, one of said resilient packing ring members being surrounded by and engaged with the other resilient packing ring member, said resilient packing ring` members having converging side face-s te provide a circular resilient wedge whereby lateral pressure is transmitted through all of said ring members.

5. In an apparatus having a pressure chamber provided with a flat inner face and a piston having a side face provided with' an annular groove adjacent to said flat inner face, a packing ring mounted in said groove and comprising an endless ring member having a friction face adapted to engage said flat inner face and yielding means associated with said endless ring member to force said friction face into engagement with said flat inner face.

6. In an apparatus having a pressure chamber provided with a flat innerx face and a piston havinga side face provided with an annular groove adjacent to vsaid fla-t inner face, a packing ring mounted in said groove and comprising an endless ring inember having a friction face adapted to engage said fiat inner face and yielding means associated with said endless ring member to force said friction face into engagement with said flat inner face, said yielding means including a resilient packing ring member interposed between said endless packing ring -member and a wall of said groove, said resilmg ring members at the other side of said j 8*.'In an apparatus having a pressurer chamber provided with a fiat inner face and a piston having a side face provided with an annular groove adjacent to said flat inner face, a packing ring mounted in said groove and ycomprising an endless ring member having a. friction face adapted to engage said flat innerr face, said groove being provided with an inlet for the admission of fluid tending to escape from said pressure .chamber, so that the fluid pressure tending to "force the ring'from the groove will be approximately equal to the pressnreof fluid tending to escape between said friction face and the fiat inner face, and yielding means tending to retain said friction face in contact with said flatinner face. n

9. In an apparatus having a pressure chamber provided witha flat inn-er face and a piston having a side face provided with an annular groove adjacent to said flat inner face, a packing ring mounted in said groove and comprising an endless ring member having a friction face adapted to engage said flat inner face, said endless ring member being` provided with a passageway for the admission of fluid into said groove, so that the fluid pressure tending to force the ring from the groove will be approximately equal to the pressure of fluid tending to escape between said friction face and the fiat inner face. A

10. In anY apparatus having a pressure chamber provided with a `flat inner face and a piston having a side face provided with an annular groove adjacent to said flat inner face, a packing ring mounted in said groove and comprising an endless ring member having a frictionv face adapted to' cngage said flatinner face, said endless ring member being provided with a passageway for the admission of fluid into said groove, so that the fluid pressure tending to force the ring from the groove will be approximately equal to the pressure of fluid tending to esca-pe between said lfriction yface and the fiat inner face, and a resilient packing ring memberjeooperatirig with said endless ring 4"ineiiiber to lforce said friction faceinto engagement with said flat inner face.

11. In airapparatus' havingv a pressure gember@ viaee with anatinner race and side face provided with an annilanf'grove" '-a-djtacenz'to "sa1d-- fiati-inner face, a packing ring mounted in said groove and comprising an endless ring member having a friction face adapted to engage said fiat inner face, said piston havinga passageway extending from said groove to the fluidreceiving space in said pressure chamber, so that the fluid pressure tending to force the ring from the groove will be approximately equal to the pressure of fluid tending to escape between said friction face and the flat inner face.

12. In an apparatus having a pressure .chamber provided with a flat inner face and a piston having a side face provided with an annular groove adjacent to said flat inner face, a packing ring mounted in said groove and comprising an endless ring member having a friction face adapted to engage said flat inner face, said piston having a passageway extending from said groove to the Huid-receiving space in said pressure chamber, so that the fluid pressure tending to force the ring from the groove will be approximately equal to the pressure of fluid tending to escape between said friction face and the flat inner face, and a check valve tending to prevent escape of fluid from said groove to said fluid-receiving space.

13. In an apparatus having a pressure chamber provided with a flat inner face and 7 a piston having a side face provided with an annular groove adjacent to said fiat inner face, a packing ring mounted in said groove and comprising an endless ring member having a friction face adapted to engage .said flat inner face, said friction lface being provided with a groove and said endless ring having transverse ports leading from the last mentioned groove to the first mentioned groove.

14. In an apparatus having a pressure chamber provided with a flat inner face and a piston having a side face provided with an annular groove adjacent to said fiat inner face, a packing ring mounted in said groove and comprising an endless ring member having a friction face adapted to engage said vfiat inner face, and said friction face being provided with a circular liquid-receiving groove wherein an annular body of liq- .uid may be confined between said endless ring and flat inner face.

15. A packing ring comprising an endless` ring member having a friction face on. one of its sides, yielding means associated with said endless ring member to engage said friction face with its seat, and a retaining ring whereby said endless ring member is secured.

16. In 'an apparatus having a pressure chamber provided with a flatlinner face and a piston having a side face provided `-'with airannular groove adjacent `to said iiat'innerface, 'packing ring mounted iir'said groove-and comprising an endless-'ring memlill i io

force said friction face into engagement with said flat inner face, and a retaining ring removably mounted in said groove to limit the lateral motion of said endless ring member.

ll. ln an apparatus` having.;` a pressure chamber provided with a flat inner face and a Vpiston having aside face provided. with van annular groove adjacent to said fiat inner face, a packing ring mounted in said groove and having a friction face engaging said flat inner face, said piston having a passagewav leading from the fluid-receiving space in said pressure chamber to said groove, and a check valve tending to prevent escape of fluid from said groove to said space.

18, In an apparatus having a pressure chamber provided with a flat inner face and a piston having a side face provided with an annular groove adjacent to said flat inner face, a packing ring mounted in said groove and having a friction face engaging said fiat innerrfac-e, said piston having periplieial l assageways leading from the fluid-receiving space in said passageway to said groove, an abutment extending from the periphery of said piston at a point between said passagewavs, and check valves tending to prevent discharge of fluid from said groove and through said passageways.

l9.i;\ sectional packing` ring con'iprising a ring section having sealing faces at its opposite sides, a resilient ring section having inner and outer circumferential faces one of which is wider than the other, said resilient ring section having converging sealing faces at its opposite sides to provide a resilient wedge, one of the last mentioned i sealing faces being engaged with one of the first mentioned sealing faces, and said vresilient ring section being under tension tending to force its'converging sealing faces onto their seats.

20. A sectional packing rin g comprising a ring section having sealing faces at its oppositie sides, a resilient ring section having inner and outer circumferential faces one of which is Wider than the other, said resilient ring section having converging sealing` faces at its opposite sides to provide a resilient wedge, one of the last mentioned sealing faces being enga-ged with one of the first mentioned sealing faces, said resilient ring section being under tension tending to force its converging sealing faces onto their seats, and the relatively wide circumferential face of said resilient ring section being exposed to receive the pressure of Huid tending to escape between said ring sections.

21. In an apparatus having a pressure chamber and a piston mounted therein,

packing ring Sections interposedy between said piston and pressure chamber, each of said ring sections having sealing faces atits opposite sides and the sealing face at a side of one ring section being engaged with a sealing face at a side of the other ring section, oii-e of said ring sections being resilient and provided with converging side faces tov form a circular wedge having inner and outer circumferential faces, one of which is wider than the other, and the relatively wide circumferential face being exposed to the fluid tending to escape from said pres sure chamber. i

Q2. In an apparatus having a pressure chamber provided with a flat inner face and a piston having a side face adjacent to said fiat inner face, packing ring sections interposed betwcen said piston and the flat inner face of said pressure chamber, each of said ring sections having sealing faces at its opposite sides, the sealing face at a side of one ring section being engaged with said flat inner face of the pressureA chamber and the sealing' face at the other side of the last mentioned ring section being engaged with a sealing face at a side ofthe other ring section, one of said ring sectionskbeing resilient and exposed to the pressure of fluid tending to escape from said pressure chambei".y whereby all of said sealing faces are forced onto their seats.

23, In an apparatus having a pressure chamber provided with a flat inner face and a piston having a side face provided with an annular groove adjacent to said flat inner face` a packing ring section mounted in said annular groove and engaging said flat inner face of the pressure chamber, a second pack-v ing ring section interposed between a side wall of said groove and a side face of the first mentioned packing ring section, one of said ring sections being resilient and wedge` shaped in cross-section to provide a resilient wedge wherebv lateral pressure may be transmitted to both of said ring sections to force them onto their seats, and said resilient ring section being exposed to receive the pressure of fluid tending to escape from said pressure chamber.

2a. An apparatus having a. pressure chamber and a piston mounted therein, saidv piston having a side face adjacent to a wall of said pressure chamber, a packing ring member engaging said wall of the pressure chamber, a second packing ring member in-v terposed between said piston and thelirst mentioned pac-'king ring member, one of said packing ring members being endless and the other being resilient and provided with separated ends, the resilient packing ring member having a pressure-receiving circumferential face to which pressure may be transmitted to force both packing ring members onto their seats, and said pressure-receiving face being exposed to receive the pressure of `tluidtendingto escape between said piston and pressure chamber. y

Y25. i Anl apparatus havinga pressure chamber and a piston mounted therein, said 6`piston having a side -face adjacent to a v`wall. of said pressure chamber, a packing ring member engaging said wall of the pressure chamber, a'second packing ring mem- Eber interposed between saidppiston and the v10; first mentioned packing ring member, one

ofsaid packinir-y ring members being end- .lessV and the other being resilient and provided with separated ends, the resilient packing ring member 'having a pressurereceiving circumferential 'taceV to which pressure may be transmitted to for-ce both packing` ring' members onto their seats, and said 'pressure-receiving tace being exposed y `to receive the pressure `iiuid tending to escape between said piston and pressure chain ber, the resilient packing ring member being wedge-shaped in cross-section tc -prochamber.

26. An@ "apparatushaving' a"v pressure 'chainberand a piston' mounted therein, said pressure chamber`l`i`avi`ng-` a `dat inner tace and'said sto an annular groove adjacent aid 'fiat/inner face, an endless packing ring member mounted in said .35 grooveand engagingsaid ilat inner flace, a

resilient'packing 'ring member mounted in said groove and interposed between said endless packing ring member and a wall ot `f -said groove, said resilient packing ring meniberbeing wedge-shaped in cross-section `and provided with'separated ends, so as to provide 'a resilient [wedge whereby both packing ring membenmay be wedged onto yitheiifseats, and' said resilient packing ring member being exposedjtoreceive the pressure of -iiuid tending to escape from said 1 pressure chamber, whereby the resilient wedge isiacted .uponto seat the ring niem- ,'2"('.Anv Y fcliambery and 'a piston mounted therein, said {pressureffchamber Vhaving a dat inner face apparatus having a pressure Y and said pistonhaving an annular groove l fadjacent tosaid fiat inner tace, an endless packing. ring'f member mounted in said A groove and engaging said flat inner face, ."a'resilient packing ring member mounted in said groove and interposed between said endless packing' ring member and a wall of said groove, said resilient packing" ring' member boing wedge-shaped in cross-section and provided with separated ends. so as to provide a resilient wed ge whereby boi b packing' ring members may be wedged onto their seats, said groove having` an inlet tor the admission ot fluid tending to escape from said pressure chamber. and said resilient ringr member having :i circuinfei'ential face exposed to the pressure in said groove, so as to wedge said ring members onto their seats.

2S. In a rotary apparatus ot the character described having a cylinder provided with a flat inner tace and a circular piston having` a flat side tace adjacent to said flat inner tace, said `Hut side -tace ot the piston being,V provided with an annular groove, an endless packing' ring` section mounted in said annular groove and extending therefrom to contact with said iiut inner face ot the cylinder, and yielding` means associated with said endless packing ring. section to torce it into engagement with said iiat inner tace of the cylinder, said resilient means including a pair of resilient contractile packing ringf sections located in said annular `njroove and interposed between and engaged with said endless packing ring section and a wall of' said annular groove, one of said resilient ring sections being` surrounded by and engaged with the'other resilient ringr section, said resilient ring sections having convergiing side faces to provide a resilient contractile wedge whereby lateral pressure is transmitted through all of said ring sections, said annular groove having' an inlet for the fluid tendingrto escape troni the cylinder and the periphery of the resilient contractile wedge being exposed to receive the .tiuid pressure, the inner face ot said endless rino,` section being exposed to said iiuid pressure in the annular groove whereby said endless ring is forced onto said flat inner tace ot the cylinder, springs tendingl to torce said endlessring section. into engagement with said Aflat inner face` and a resilient retaining ringremovably mounted in said annular groove and cooperating` with said endless ringsection to retainyall of said ringr sections in said annular `groove.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I hereunto aiix my signature. Y

GEORGE F. MOORS. 

